American Music Awards 2014: The 5 biggest and best moments from the show

TAYLOR SWIFT RECEIVES FIRST EVER DICK CLARK AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

The 2014 American Music Awards brought emotional, dynamic performances from stars like Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, and more. Relive the five biggest moments from L.A.’s Nokia Theatre .
1. Selena Gomez Cries about Justin Bieber during emotional performance
Grab more tissues. Selena Gomez cried while singing “The Heart Wants What It Wants,” a single written about Justin Bieber, live before the packed venue. The visuals accompanying Gomez’s performance included emotionally turbulent images, including thunderstorms, a sobbing woman, as well as a clouded figure resembling Gomez’s troubled former flame.
2. Taylor Swift plays with fire in over-the-top “Blank Space” performance
She can show you incredible things! Taylor Swift opened the 2014 American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 23, inside L.A.’s Nokia Theatre with a literally heated performance of her latest number one single “Blank Space.” Swift held fire, made crazy faces, and made her suitors cower in fear during the opening sequence of the annual awards show.
3. Jennifer Lopez delivers sexy performance of “Booty” with Iggy Azalea
Shake that! Jennifer Lopez and Iggy Azalea delivered a jaw-dropping, booty-bumping performance of their hit track, “Booty,” on Sunday evening. Both performers took to the stage in skimpy, body-baring leotards, while unleashing their bootylicious fury before the star-studded crowd below.
4. Fergie looks stunning, suffers wardrobe malfunction during performance
Lucky, Josh Duhamel! The actor’s wife delivered an upbeat performance of her new single “L.A.Love” on Sunday, although she hit a slight snag in the form of a wardrobe malfunction. Sporting legs for days, Fergie intended to sexily throw off her robe at one point, but struggled to remove it completely from her bangin’ bod.
5. Lorde thrashes around during “Yellow Flicker Beat” performance
Headbanging heroine! A no-longer stoic Lorde hit the stage — and thrashed her head — while crooning her punk-tinged “Yellow Flicker Beat” at the star-studded awards show. The emotional, moody song is featured on the soundtrack of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part I.
Taylor Swift will surely never forget the year 2014 for a multitude of reasons. However, she added to her list of accomplishments on Nov. 23 when she became the first recipient of the Dick Clark Award for Excellence for her incredible and continued contributions to the music industry. After taking the stage earlier in the evening to perform her new hit single “Blank Space,” Taylor accepted the American Music Awards newest and henceforth highest honor: the Dick Clark Award for Excellence.
Each year, the artist who achieves a groundbreaking feat or creates a landmark work will be honored with the award, and considering Taylor’s newest album ’1989′ charted as the highest selling album released in 2014, she was more than qualified for the distinction.
First off, she kissed all of her besties on the way to the stage — Selena Gomez, Lorde, Karlie Kloss and even Sam Smith! Then, she had the honor of being handed her trophy from none other than the legend of Diana Ross, who dubbed her a “true superstar.” In her speech, Taylor thanked Dick Clark for her support, her friends, but most importantly, her fans, for recognizing “music is valuable” and that she’s loved getting to know each of them personally. So sweet!
‘Dick Clark Knew She Was ‘Something Special’
While sadly Dick Clark is no longer with us, he did get the pleasure of meeting and watching Taylor perform before his passing. According to his wife, Kari Clark, it would’ve made her late husband very happy to see Taylor honored in this way. “The first time Dick saw Taylor perform, he knew she was something special,” she said. “He would be thrilled to know she is the first artist to receive the Dick Clark Award for Excellence.”
Complete List of Winners
Artist of the Year: One Direction
Dick Clark Award For Excellence: Taylor Swift
New Artist of the Year: 5 Seconds of Summer
Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist: Sam Smith
Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist: Katy Perry
Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group: One Direction
Favorite Pop/Rock Album: One Direction, Midnight Memories
Favorite Country Male Artist: Luke Bryan
Favorite Country Female Artist: Carrie Underwood
Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group: Florida Georgia Line
Favorite Country Album: Brantley Gilbert, Just As I Am
Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist: Iggy Azalea
Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album: Iggy Azalea, The New Classic
Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist: John Legend
Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist: Beyoncé
Favorite Soul/R&B Album: Beyoncé, Beyoncé
Favorite Alternative Rock Artist: Imagine Dragons
Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist: Katy Perry
Favorite Latin Artist: Enrique Iglesias
Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist: Casting Crowns
Favorite Electronic Dance Music Artist: Calvin Harris
Favorite Soundtrack: Frozen
Single of the Year: Katy Perry Featuring Juicy J, “Dark Horse”